Police work to round up 'free roaming' cats at pet shelter

Friday

Nov 9, 2012 at 11:34 AM

About 50 cats are still roaming in the building, DeLand police Deputy Chief Randel Henderson said.

PATRICIO G. BALONASTAFF WRITER

DELAND -- Police and animal control officers on Friday removed the remaining cats from an overcrowded downtown animal shelter, a day after 100 felines and more than two dozen dogs were seized by police.

Police served a search warrant at the Animal Rescue Konsortium, 441 S. Woodland Blvd., on Thursday after receiving complaints of overcrowding and substandard conditions at the local animal shelter, DeLand police Deputy Chief Randel Henderson said.

The president of the rescue organization, Maggie Hall, said Friday that the animals were not mistreated.

"The officers are continuing to do the work from yesterday. Free-roaming animals are in the house and are being secured," Henderson said. "Estimates have the number of remaining animals at 40 to 50 cats."

By noon Friday there were still about 17 cats left inside the center. An officer helping at the scene said they hoped all the animals would be rounded up Friday.

The cats will be secured by rescue groups or housed at a city facility pending the decision from a judge. A court hearing has not been set, Henderson said.

But as the seizure of animals continues, the city has received many offers from citizens to house animals or adopt them.

"The offers are appreciated but the city can't release the animals to private citizens pending the court hearing," Henderson said. "Once the hearing is over, the animals will be ready for adoption – adoption is highly encouraged."

Anyone wishing to be put on the list for adoptions is asked to call 386-740-5862 and speak with DeLand Animal Control Officer Gary Thomas.

No one has been charged in the case but once the work is done all public safety personnel will debrief to see what, if any, charging decisions should be made, Henderson said.

Hall said Friday afternoon she has been advised by her attorney, Tanner Andrews, not to speak about the animal seizures or the situation at ARK. Hall briefly said "at our place (ARK), animals were cared for, even those with medical probems, moslty cats."

Hall ended the brief conversation with a statement.

"I was a special education teacher for 30 years and I have been in animal rescue for seven years," Hall said. "I have never abused an animal or a human in my life."